Biting Bad (Chicagoland Vampires 8)

"Nick," I said, walking in at Ethan's subtle nod. "Long time no see."

"Merit," he said, giving me an efficient once-over. It was journalistic inquiry, I knew, not interest, that made him check me out. We'd had our ups and downs, and although I assumed from the "Ponytail Avenger" story that we'd recovered from the blackmail incident, we definitely weren't bosom buddies.

"Nick, this is Jonah," Ethan said, "captain of the Grey House guards."

Nick reached out and shook his hand, and I saw Jonah's eyes widen - just for an instant - in surprise.

Like the Keene family, the Breckenridges were members of the North American Central Pack, although they didn't advertise their supernatural affiliations to many. I guess Scott, who did know, hadn't mentioned that to Jonah.

"Nice to meet you," Jonah said. "I hear you're doing a feature on the riots?"

"Their impact on Chicago's supernaturals, yes." He looked at me. "You're well?"

"I am, thank you. How are your brothers? And your parents?"

"They're well, thanks."

He didn't elaborate; I guess he wasn't up for chitchat.

"How's the investigation going?" I asked.

"Fine. Disturbing in certain ways. Enlightening in others."

"I think this story is going to go a long way toward educating the public about vampires," Ethan said. "You're doing us a profound service."

Nick nodded, by all appearances unmoved. "I'm here to tell the truth. I think I've got what I need from you," he said, looking at Scott. "If I could talk to some of the displaced vampires?"

"Sure. I'll take you upstairs. We're looking for temporary housing. We've got a line on a building, but we're hoping they'll negotiate a little more on the price."

Those prophetic words spoken, and before Nick and Scott even reached the door, chaos broke out in the hallway.

"You f**king ass**le!" screamed a vampire whose voice I didn't recognize. We rushed into the hallway, where two guys - one of whom wore a Grey House jersey - were tumbling around on the hallway floor, absolutely whaling on each other.

"What in God's name?" Jonah said, trying to reach into the fight to pull the men apart. He got an elbow in the eye for his trouble, which only incensed him more.

Note to self: Do not piss off the captain of the most athletic vampires in the city's most athletic House.

Jonah let out another curse, then reached in again and grabbed the jersey-wearing vampire by the scruff of the neck and hauled him out of the fray.

He landed eight feet down the hallway, bouncing on his ass for good measure.

The other vampire, a young member of my Novitiate class named Connor - and a very brief fling of Lindsey's - jumped to his feet, ready to join the fray.

"Connor!" Ethan yelled out. There was magic in his voice - his ability, as a Master, to call the vampires he'd made. Obediently, as if returning to the Pack and the alpha male, Connor bared his fangs at Jonah and the Grey House vamp, but slunk back against the wall, and behind Ethan.

Jonah dragged the other vampire to his feet and was glaring daggers at him, daring him to move from that spot.

"I am going to ask this one time," Ethan said through gritted teeth, "and one time only. Connor, what is this about?"

"That ass**le started in on our House, that we're a House of rejects."

"Bullshit!" called the Grey House vampire. "You were bragging about drinking, you egotistical little prick."

"I wasn't bragging," Connor said, chest puffed aggressively. "I was stating a fact. It's not my fault you get yours from bottles."

That was the wrong thing to say. The Grey House vampire surged forward, but Jonah used his body to keep him back.

"Enough!" Scott shouted, the second time that word had been used to quell violence in Cadogan House in the last twenty-four hours.

He strode to the Grey House vampire and stuck a finger in his face. "We are here because they have offered to shelter us, notwithstanding the risk we posed. A risk that obviously was valid, considering what happened last night."

"They brought the heat themselves," the vampire said. "If not for them, none of this would have happened."

"Last night," Scott said, his fierce eyes on his young Novitiate, "the GP indicated by its actions that it was our enemy. These vampires stood up for me, and for you, and for our House. I don't give a shit if Ethan Sullivan punches you in the face himself. You are a Grey House vampire, and you will show honor!"

"Honor!" Jonah shouted, pounding a fist to his chest. A half dozen Grey House vampires who'd gathered at the ends of the hallway did the same, shouts of "Honor!" ringing through the hallway. Goose bumps lifted on my arms at the display.

Scott having said his peace, it was Ethan's turn to discipline. He looked at Connor and offered a glance so full of anger - and worse, disappointment - that it made me feel bad. I thanked my lucky stars I wasn't on the receiving end of it.

"I am mortified," Ethan said. "Furious, disappointed, and mortified. They are guests in our home. And whether you condone their behavior or not, they are to be treated as guests. Is that clear?"

"Liege," Connor quietly murmured.

"I didn't hear that," Ethan gritted.

"Liege," he said again, this time with conviction.

"Malik's office," Ethan directed, and Connor disappeared down the hallway.

"Upstairs," Scott echoed, gesturing toward the Grey House vampire. "The rest of you get back to it," he said, and the hallway cleared of vampires.

In the silence, we heard the scribbling of a pen, and we glanced back to the office doorway. Nick Breckenridge stood there, scribbling furiously, notebook and pen in hand.

Ethan sighed, and looked at Scott. "I suppose we asked for a story about the riots' real, unscripted effects."

"You get what you ask for," Scott agreed.

"Unfortunately," Ethan said, glancing at Scott, "I think it might be time to reconsider the offer on that building you found."

Scott nodded. "I think you might be right."

Nick followed Scott, Jonah, and the Grey House vampire upstairs, leaving me and Ethan alone in the hallway. He rubbed his temples for a moment before stepping back into his office. I followed him.

"Have you heard anything about Juliet?"

"She's awake and resting," Ethan said. "She wanted to be up and outside this evening, but Luc declined her offer."

A weight lifted from my chest. "That's wonderful news."